AGRICULTURAL BULLETIN 
OF THE 
STRAITS 
AND 
F E D ERA T ED MALAY S T A T E S . 
No. 6 .] JUNE, 1904. [Vol. III. Part I. 
A Review of the Introduction of the Cotton Industry- 
in Netherlands India, 
By Dr. K . VV . T romp d e H a a s. 
Reprinted from the “ Teysmannia 5 ’ 14th Annual, 
1 oth & i it h Editions. 
By kind permission of Dr. Treub zee publish a translation of this 
important Dutch papcr ou the cultivation of Cotton in ‘Java. It 
has been translated by Mr, -II’. Scelhorst. 
Introduction. 
The influence of Watt's invention on the intellectual and material 
development of mankind, is in no way better demonstrated, than 
by the perusal of the history of two manufactured products, taking- 
one from the mineral and the other from the vegetable kingdom", 
for instance iron and cotton. 
If we follow the histories, of these two products, and note care- 
fully the different stages of progress, the power of human skill, in 
adapting the uses of one to those of the other, will become evident. 
Hail, to the country that is able to produce both the raw 
materials ! 
How the cotton industry has been affected, by the power of steam 
may be seen from the following figures. 
From 1790— 1850 the production of cotton increased from 1 — 3 
millions of bales and from 1850—1894 from 3—15 millions of bates 
of 400 lbs. each. 
|n 1895, the product of the world amounted to 17 millions of 
ba es of 400 lbs. each, representing a value of about one thousand 
mi 10ns guilders. Is it a wonder therefore, in view of these figures, 
that each individual Country, endeavours to cultivate and spin its 
own cotton? 
Java and Madoera alone import yearlv about 30 millions worth 
ol cotton and linen ware. 
